Strap connector



Dec. 1, 1942. I J. w. ASPENLEITER STRAP CONNECTOR 'Filed March 24, 1941 [IIII'I n JOSEPH WASPENLEITER INVENTOR I BY ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 1, 1942 TENT OFFIQE STRAP CONNECTOR Joseph W. Aspenleiter, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to Bausch & Lomb Optical Company, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application March 24, 1941, Serial No. 384,933

4 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for connecting the ends of a flexible strap such as used for connecting the eyecups of a goggle, for example.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved connector for the ends of a flexible strap which will be simple in structure yet eflicient in operation. Another object is to provide a connector of the character described which can be readily adjusted without the useof tools. These and other objects and advantages reside in certain novel features of construction, arrangement and combination of parts as will hereinafter be more fully described and pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a front View of a goggle in which my novel connector is used for securing the ends of the strap bridge.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken through the bridge and connector.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the connector in closed position.

Fig. 4 is a similar View showing it in open position.

One embodiment of my connector, indicated generally at H), is shown in the drawing as applied to a well known type of goggle comprising the two eyecups I I having slots I2 through which extends the flexible bridge strap I3 having the end portions l4 and M. The connector is preferably formed of U-shaped member l5 having the bottom portion l6 and the integral, upstanding side portions I! and I8. Pivotally mounted on the side I! by means of hinge pin I9 is the lever 20 which is adapted to be swung into and out of substantially parallel relation with the bottom l6 and the longitudinal slot 2| located therein.

When the lever 20 is in such position, it is in clamping engagement with the two end portions 14 and H! of the flexible strap l3 as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The end portions of the strap I3 preferably extend through the slot I 6 in face-to-face contact and are then divergingly separated so that the lever 20 may be clamped down between them as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The lever 20 is held in clamping engagement with the end portions of strap l3 by means of an inturned lip 22 which is formed on the upper part of the side l8. The lever 20 has a notch 23 which is engaged by the lip 22 so that the lever 20 is held in clamping position due to the resilience of the side l8. Swingably mounted in a hole near the end of lever 20 is a U-shaped operating member 24 which normally occupies a position shown in Fig. 3. the operating member 24 is swung out to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 3 and into engagement with the lip 22 so that the latter is moved out of notch 23 and thereby releases the lever 20,

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I When it is desired to release lever 26, 1

am able to attain the objects of my invention and provide an improved connector for the end portions of a flexible strap. Various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A device for connecting the end portions of a flexible strap comprising a member having a bottom portion and two spaced upstanding side portions integral therewith, said bottom portion having a longitudinal slot through which the end portions of the strap extend, a lever having one end pivotally secured to one side portion, a yieldable lip on the other side portion for releasably holding said lever in clamping engagement with said strap portions, and means for releasing said lever comprising a member movably mounted on the lever and constructed and arranged to be moved into contact with the lip to release the lever.

2. A device for connecting the ends of a flexible strap comprising a substantially U-shaped member having a bottom portion and two side portions integral therewith, the bottom portion having a longitudinal slot for receiving the end portions of the strap, a lever pivotally mounted on one side portion and adapted to be moved into clamping engagement with the end portions of the strap, the other side portion having a yieldable lip for releasably holding the lever in clamping engagement, and means for releasing said lever comprising a U-shaped member movably mounted on the end of the lever and arranged to selectively engage the lip to release the lever.

3. A device for connecting the ends of a flexible strap comprising a member having a base portion and two end portions, said base portion having a longitudinal slot lying between the end portions, latching means on one of said end portions, and a clamping element, one end of the clamping element being articulately connected to the other end portion, the other end of the element being releasably held by the latching means, the end portions of the strap being adapted to extend through said slot and to be positioned, respectively, on the opposite sides of the clamping element.

4. A device for connecting the ends of a flexible strap comprising a member having a base portion and two upstanding end portions, one of said end portions having yieldable latching means, said base portion having a longitudinal slot lying between the end portions, and a rigid clamping element, one end of the element being pivotally connected to the other end portion, the other end of the element being releasably secured by said latching means, the end portions of the strap being adapted to extend through the slot and to be positioned, respectively, on the opposite sides of said element.

JOSEPH W. ASPENLEITER. 

